DAY 1: CUSCO – SOQMA – RAYAN

We leave Cusco early in the morning and drive 1 hour and 45 minutes to Soqma (3,205 m / 10,512 ft). This is the starting point of our Inca Quarry Trek to Machu Picchu and where we meet the horsemen that will join us during the hike.

We begin the hike with a 1 ¾ hour walk to the Perolniyoc cascade lookout. This is a perfect opportunity to stop for photos and a snack. The waterfall that you will see at this location is breathtaking! We will then hike a further 35 minutes until we visit the Inca site of the same name, where we will have a brief tour. This will be our lunch site.

After a refueling lunch, we will ascend 45 minutes until our camp at Rayan (3,700 meters/12,136 ft).

• Meals: Lunch/Dinner
• Accommodations: Camping
• Minimum altitude: 3,205 m/ 10,512 ft
• Maximum altitude: 3,700 m/ 12,136 ft
• Distance to walk: 8 km/5 miles
• Approximate walking time: 3 to 4 hours
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Area: Dry Mountain

DAY 2: RAYAN – INTI PUNKU – CHOQUETACARPO

After an early breakfast, we ascend 3 hours to the first pass of the trek, known as Puccaqasa (4,370 m/ 14,333 ft). At the top of the pass, there are incredible views of the Sacred Valley. This is a perfect place to take pictures!

We then head downhill for 25 minutes to our lunch location. After lunch, we hike 2 hours with alternating ascents and descents. The final 20 minutes of this segment will take us uphill to the highest pass of the trek, Kuychicassa (4,457 m/ 14,619 ft). From here we trek downhill for 2 ½ hours to a site the Incas called Inti Punku, (meaning Sun Gate), where there is a spectacular view of Mount Veronica (5,682 m/ 18,637 ft) and the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Our campsites is 30 minutes downhill from Inti Punku at Choquetacarpo (3,600m/ 11,808 ft).

• Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
• Accommodations: Camping
• Minimum altitude: 3,600 m/ 11,808 ft
• Maximum altitude: 4,457 m/ 14,619 ft
• Distance to walk: 13 km/ 8 miles
• Approximate walking time: 8 to 9 hours
• Difficulty: moderate

DAY 3: CHOQUETACARPO – OLLANTAYTAMBO – AGUAS CALIENTES

We will have an early breakfast and then walk one hour downhill to the Cachiqata quarry (3,525 m/ 11,562 ft), where we observe the location where stones were cut for Ollantaytambo. We will have a tour and talk about how you can still see remains of stone work that was interrupted by the Spanish conquest.

From the quarry we descend for 3 hours until we reach Ollantaytambo (2,840 m / 9,315 ft). We will have lunch in Ollantaytambo.

In the afternoon we travel by  train to Aguas Calientes. When we arrive you will check in to your hotel room. The natural hot springs in town are an unbeatable way to spend a late afternoon/early evening if time is available before dinner. Dinner will be at the restaurant in aguas calientes.

•  Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
• Accommodations: In aguas calientes
• Minimum altitude: 2,840 m / 9,315 ft
• Maximum altitude: 3,525 m/ 11,562 ft
• Distance to walk: 11 km/ 7 miles
• Approximate walking time: 4 hours
• Difficulty: moderate

DAY 4: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHUPICCHU – CUSCO

You will have breakfast at your hotel before we take a very early bus (5:30am) along the winding road to Machu Picchu to see the magnificent sunrise. Once there you will be given at 2 hour walking tour of the site.

If you have elected to climb Huayna Picchu Mountain (the price of this is  not included in your Inca Quarry Trek price),  is better if you will begin the hike at 10 AM. If you are not climbing the mountain you will have free time to explore the site, hike to the Sun Gate, or hike to the Inca Bridge before you return to Aguas Calientes by bus.

Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes you will board the  train to Ollantaytambo. From Ollantaytambo you will travel by private van to Cusco and we will drop you off at your hotel. Arrival time in Cusco depends on the time of your train ticket.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Maximum altitude: 2,040 m/ 6,691 ft
• Minimum altitude: 2,440 m/ 8,052 ft

Overall trek difficulty: Moderate

WHAT IS INCLUDED

• Bilingual English speaking tour guide (additional tour guide for groups of nine people or more)
• Pre-Departure Briefing at your hotel 1 or 2 days before your trek.
• Pick up from your hotel and transportation to Soqma
• Four-person tent for every 2 people.
• Mattress
• Kitchen tent
• Dining tent with tables and chairs
• Chef
• Muleteers and horses to carry all the equipment (food, tents, chairs, table, etc.)
• Horse to transport 6 kg of your personal gear
• Duffle bag for your personal gear
• Three breakfasts, three lunches, and three dinners
• Hot water for washing.
• Daily morning boiled and cold water to fill the water bottles.
• Emergency oxygen bottle and medical kit.
• Train ticket from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
• Train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
• One night accommodation in Aguas Calientes
• Entrance to Machu Picchu
• Round trip bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu

Not Included:

• Sleeping bag – you can rent one from us
• Tickest for Huaynapicchu or Machupicchu Mountain
• Day 1 Breakfast
• Day 4 Lunch in Aguas Calientes
• Tips for the crew (guide, chef, wranglers)

The Inca Quarry treks to Machupicchu can leave any day of the week but not during the February month because of the wet season.

2024 / 2025 Land Cost

Group Price :

• US$560.00 per person (with the hotel PAQARIQ INN or similar)
• US$600.00 per person (with the hotel Hatun Inti Classic)
• US$650.00 per person (with the Hotel Hatun Inti Boutique)

Private Price :

• US$600.00 per person (with the hotel PAQARIQ INN or similar)
• US$650.00 per person (with the hotel Hatun Inti Classic)
• US$700.00 per person (with the Hotel Hatun Inti Boutique)

Required Pre-payment: US$200.00 per person

Remaining Balance: US$400.00 (Commonly paid in Cusco at the briefing time)

We can start this tour with 2 people minimum 

Hotel

This hike is ending in Aguas Calientes town and you will spend the last night in a hotel in the town rather than camping (in the price is included a double / shared room  in a standar hotel.

Extras & Upgrades

There are complementary services and upgrades you can included in this trip.

• Huaynapicchu Mountain: US$65.00
• Machupicchu Mountain: US$60.00
• Single Suplement (Hotel in Aguas Calientes) US$40.00
• Vistadome train (Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo) US$70.00

Additional Items

There are additional items you can include in this trip

• Sleeping bag: US$20.00
• Inflattable mattress: US$20.00
• Walking poles (pair): US$20.00 

• Original passport
• Sleeping bag
• Immigration Card (given on the plane as you enter Peru)
• Good daypack ( smaller, the better)
• Water storage: we strongly recommend to bring your Camel Back and water canteen due to that government of Peru will not allow disposable plastic bottles anymore on the Quarry Trek and in Machu Picchu.
• Comfortable hiking boots (lightweight with good soles)

FOR YOUR DUFFEL:

Horses will carry up to 6 kg of your personal items. This must include your sleeping bag and air matt (if you bring/rent one). From us these two items weigh 3.5 kg.

•  2-3 wicking t-shirts
• 2-3 hiking pants
• 4 sets of undergarments.
• 4 sets of hiking socks
• 1 Fleece
• 1 Warm, down jacket: gets very cold at night
• 1 Rain jacket and pants
• 1 sun hat
• 1 wool hat
• Headlamp: essential
• Waterproof gloves (even if they are ski gloves, take them)
• Comfortable shoes for camp
• Walking boots
• Waterproof jacket/rain poncho
• Quick-dry towel. We provide small ones, you might enjoy something a little larger.
• Small bottle of soap: we provide warm water each day to clean – might make you feel fresh if you had a little soap.
• Battery Charger: There is no place to plug in while trekking!
• Large plastic bags: to help organize and keep clean from dirty.

TOILETRIES:

• Sunscreen
• Face moisturizer
• Bug spray
• Hand sanitizer
• Wet wipes
• Toothbrush and paste
• Toilet paper
• Personal medication
• First aid kit: band-aids, moleskin, etc.

INSIDE YOUR DAYPACKS:

Daypacks can be any size for hiking, but we always recommend the smaller, the better. Inside Machu Picchu, no bag larger than 25L will be allowed in. If larger, you will need to store outside citadel gates.

• Water beginning from your second day will supply all the water needed. This water will be boiled, filtered and then cooled, before distributing. You must supply your own water bottles or Camel Back. We recommend carrying about 2L worth. We will refill our waters at each meal
• Sunhat
• Rain gear
• Fleece
• Camera
• Music (iPhone)
• Hand sanitizer
• Toilet paper and a small plastic bag for waste
• Extra Money for Souvenirs, Drinks & Tips
• Earplugs